Kagutsuchi (カグツチ; Old Japanese: Kagututi), also known as Hi-no-Kagutsuchi or Homusubi among other names, is the kami of fire worship in classical Japanese mythology.
Mythology
Kagutsuchi's birth burned his mother
Izanami, causing her death. His father
Izanagi, in his grief, beheaded Kagutsuchi with his sword,
Ame-no-ohabari (天之尾羽張), and cut his body into eight pieces, which became eight
. Kagutsuchi's corpse created numerous deities, which typically includes
Watatsumi,
Kuraokami,
Takemikazuchi,
Futsunushi,
Amatsu-Mikaboshi, and Ōyamatsumi.
Kagutsuchi's birth, in Japanese mythology, comes at the end of the creation of the world and marks the beginning of death.
Name
The name
Kagutsuchi was originally a compound phrase, consisting of
kagu, an Old Japanese root verb meaning "to shine";
tsu, the Old Japanese possessive particle; and
chi, an Old Japanese root meaning "force, power".
[国語大辞典（新装版） (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 1988]
Popular culture
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In the manga and anime Sailor Moon, Hino Rei Sailor Mars is a priestess at a shrine dedicated to the Fire-God.
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In the manga and anime Kimetsu no Yaiba, there is a dance called Hinokami Kagura (lit. Dance of the Fire God), referencing Kagu-tsuchi, that is later transformed into a Breathing Style by the protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado.
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In the manga and anime Fairy Tail, a character named Zancrow uses the Flame God Slayer Magic and has an attack named after Kagutsuchi.
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In the manga Noragami, Kagutsuchi appears during the subjugation of Bishamon and is shown to be capable of blowing fire.
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In the anime Mai-HiME, Mai's Child is based upon Kagutsuchi.
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In the manga and anime , one of the main characters, Sasuke Uchiha, is shown to have the ability to manipulate the black flames of Amaterasu into various weapons. This is referred to as Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi, which refers to the fire god.
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In the video game series BlazBlue, the main setting of the first two games is the 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi.
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In the same video game series, one of the playable characters, Nine the Phantom, can summon Hi no Kagutsuchi, an enormous fire elemental.
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In the video game series Brave Frontier, Kagatsuchi is a fire-based battle unit. He takes the form of a centaur, and is described as "a disastrous beast".
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In the manga Rurouni Kenshin, the main antagonist of the Kyoto Arc, Shishio Makoto, uses a technique called "The Final Secret Sword: Kagutsuchi" as a last resort "trump card", bringing down a cyclone of flames that his sword can produce at his enemy.
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In the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona franchises, Kagutsuchi is a recurring figure.
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In the video game , a fire-elemental staff known as "Kagutsuchi's Blood" can be obtained on the Zombies map "Origins".
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In the mobile phone game Puzzle and Dragons, Hino Kagutsuchi is a collectible fire monster.
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In the card game Yu-Gi-Oh!, Kagutsuchi is one of the 4 Xyz Monsters of Bujin alongside Susanoo, Amaterasu, and Tsukuyomi,
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In the mobile game Monster Strike, Kagutsuchi is a fire collectible, along with Susano'o, Amaterasu, Inari, Izanami, Izanagi and more.
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In the mobile game Dragalia Lost, Kagutsuchi appears as a red Flame-type dragon with golden armor fused to his body, given the title of "Incandescent General".
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In the manga and anime Gintama, the main weapon aboard the Altana Liberation Army's flagship Amenotorifune, intended to destroy the Earth, is called "Hinokagutsuchi".
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In the video game Ghost of Tsushima, there is a Charm of Kagu-Tsuchi.
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In the light novel High School DxD: Slash/Dog series, Kagu-tsuchi is the Shinto God of Fire and also the patron deity of the Himejima Clan whom in turned blessed them with the power of spiritual flames. A descendant of the Himejima, Tobio Ikuse is the wielder of the Ame no Ohabari, the divine sword which killed Kagu-tsuchi. The sword is infused with Kagu-tsuchi's divine flames, which grant it immense power to kill even a Demon Lord Gressil.
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In the video game series The Alchemist Code, the royal family of Wadatsumi, Rising Ashes, which consists of Mitsuha, Kagura, Zeke Crowley and Logi Crowley, uses a fire ability called Kagutsuchi, which takes the form of a phoenix when used. Mitsuha, Kagura and Logi use an advanced form of the fire technique, called "Kagutsuchi Kiraboshi".
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In the 2022 video game God of War Ragnarök, it is implied that Týr reflects upon his knowledge of Kagu-Tsuchi as an inspiration for his combat tactics during his final encounter against Kratos.
Family tree
See also
Notes
External links
